Forced-draft furnace-grate.



L. H. SIMMONS.

FORCED DRAFT FURNACE GRATE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30. mil RENEWED APR. 29, 1918. 1,270,065.

Patented June 18, 1918.

Inventor.

L,e e Jfawatd.

Sim ans, A129.

L. H. SIMMONS.

FORCED DRAFT FURNACE GRATE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30. I9l7- RENEWED APR. 29. 1918.

1,270,065 Patented J 11110 18, 1918 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor:

L e e and Simmons;

. L. H. SIMMONS.

FORCED DRAFT FURNACE GRATE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. a0. 1911. RENEWED APR-29,1918.

Patented June 18, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Inventor.

LeeJfowaMJz'mnao JJFWM L. H. SIMMONS.

FORCED DRAFT FURNACE GRATE.

APPLICATION men JAN. 30. new. RENEWED APR. 29. 1918.

1,270,065. Patentgd June 18, 1918.

F0 .10. 4 SHEETSSHEET 4- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD SIMMONS, 0F GOLDSIBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR TO SIMMONS FORCED DRAFT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NORTH CAROLINA.

FORCED-DRAFT FURNACE-GRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1918.

- Application filed January 30, 1917, Serial No. 145,442. Renewed April 29, 1918. Serial No. 231,536.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, LEE HowARn SIMMONS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Goldsboro, in the. county of \Vayne and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Forced-Draft FurnaceGrates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in grates and especially to that class known as forced draft furnace grates.

The present invention also relates to certain improvements on that type of grates for which a patent was granted to me on April 4, 1916, and being numbered 1,178,274.

This invention, broadly speaking, is similari to the former one in so far'that it consists of a number or pluralityof hollow grate bars, a manifold disposed transversely of the same, an engine and fan and air ducts leading to said manifold to supply air under pressure thereto, which in turn is supplied to the grate bars and passes therethrough to the fire bed. Also the grate bars at the sides of said grate extend above the level of the fire bed so that the air may be delivered above the normal level of the grate. The bottoms of the grate bars may be swung so that the ashes may be released from them.

This grate like my former one is particularly intended to receive fuel in a finely divided state, although it is to be understood that the larger form of fuel may be advantageously burned. The bed presents a surface in which there are small openings for the passage of air, which openings are so small thatlittle or no fuel will drop therethrough. However, to remove any ashes and dust that sift through these openings, means are provided for simultaneously clearing the inside of the grate bars, so that the said bars will not become choked or clogged, and thereby interfere with the draft.

It is necessary in a grate of this type that the forced air draft reach all the grate bars and be distributed thereto as the heat at the top of the bars is very high, so that I provide a manifold on which one end of each those shown in the central portion and in which the air spaces are not only provided at the top surface as in. the other bars, but also in the inclined surface, so that the forced draft besides entering below the fire bed, will also he shot across the surface of the fire to readily mix with the gases of combustion and in this manner assist them to consume a goodly portion of the smoke which would otherwise be emitted from the chimney; and in many instances will do away with the necessity of a smoke consumer.

So. far my present invention is similar to my previous one n'ientioned, but from here the invention differs as will be plainly seen.

Instead of having a grate bar having a solid integral top surface with air openings as in my former construction, I have a plurality of what I term for convenience, fire bars, to distinguish them from the main grate bars. These fire bars have lugs at their-side so that a small space or opening is left between adjacent fire bars for the passage of air. Again, means are provided not only for tilting the bottoms of the grate bars as before, but also for the rocking of the fire bars.

Therefore an object of my present invention is to provide a grate consisting of a plurality of grate bars, the number depending on the desired heating area, a manifold and a plurality of fire bars in said grate bars.

Another object is to provide a grate comprising a plurality of hollow grate bars having independent fire bars located in said grate bars, bottoms pivoted in said grate bars and means for tilting the bottoms and also for rocking the fire bars in said grate bars and simultaneously one with the other.

Still another object of my invention is to so construct the fire bars that they extend transversely of said grate bars making them easier. to cast and handle when installing or renewing.

Another object of my invention is to so construct said bottoms of said grate bars that when swung or tilted they will contact with all of the said fire bars in their respective grate bars.

Still another object is to construct the said fire bars so that portions extend down into said grate bars making it necessary to move the pivotal bottom through a lesser are, also to construct the fire bars that are situated at the side of the grate in a certain particular manner.

, Still another obj ect is to provide a mani- 7 fold having a pivotal bottom formed of two parts thereby making room for the main rock shaft, and the said manifold having of the type mentioned that may be readily assembled, easily installed, capable of using a many units as desired; replacing for any reason new fire bars, to be used in said grate bars; and also provide means in a forced draft furnace grate for rocking the fire bars in said grate.

WVith these and other objects in view my invention consist of certain new and novel features of construction and combinations of parts as will be hereafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawing forming a part hereof, and in which like letters of reference denote similar parts,

Figure 1 is a top plan View partly in section and partly diagrammatic of my improved grate and force draft apparatus.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section of the improved grate.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section of the same.

Fig. 4: is a sectional view of one of the grate bars showing the pivotal bottom tilted and a fire bar raised by said pivotal bottom.

Fig. 5 is also a sectional view of a grate bar showing one end and the bearing for a pinion of the pivotal bottom.

F ig. 6 is a top plan view of a grate bar with the bottom removed.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of the grate bar showing both bearings for the pinions of the pivotal bottom.

Fig. 8 i a top plan of the pivotal bottom of the grate bar.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig.10 is a top plan of the manifold.

Fig. 11 is aside elevation'of the same, being broken away in one place for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 12 is 'a bottom plan of the san e with the pivotal bottoms removed- Fig. 13 shows the pivotal bottom used in the manifold.

Fig; l l 'shows a side'elevation of the same.

Fig. 15 shows a detail ofthe same.

Fig. 16-shows a rod or-handle connected to the pivotal bottoms in said manifold.

r g. nearer. n w a r he aera F ig.,v 18 shows different details of one of the fire bars. H

Fig. 19 is a similarviewbutin this instance showing one of the fire bars that are situated in the side grate bars.

Referring now to the drawings and for the presentto Fig. 1, it will be seen that my improved grate as installed comprises any form of engine or motor power 1,,wh ich is connected to a fan or blower 2, from which leads the main air duct 3,,from which in turnlead the ducts 1 and '5, the ends of which register with two supports 7 properly set in a foundation for the furnace grate.

' Resting on thesupports 7 which are hollow, and registering with'the same is a manifold 8 provided at its top with a plurality of openings 9. This .manifold will be described more at. length as the description proceeds.

Located transversely of this manifold 8 working partsin proportion, and add grate bars if a larger furnace grate'is needed.

The brick foundation for the grate'may be made to suit-and the arrangement shown tice. Referring now to Figs. 4

has worked out very nicely in actual prac to 9, a description of the grate bar 10 will lee-taken up and a description of one is a description of all, except that the fire bars 1 1 which fit in the side grate bars are different, which will be'explai'ned later. I 1

Looking at Fig. 4 for the moment, it will be seen that the grate bar has two side walls 12 which are inclined inwardly throughout their major part and are thickened slightly at their top, or in other words, at 13. -T-he lower inner surfaces are cut away to form Vertical sides as at 14 so that the pivotal bottom 15 may fit snugly therein when the said bottom is in its closed position."

Referring to Fig. '6 for the moment it will be seen that a goodly portion of the bottom of the bar 10 is cutaway for the reception of the bottom 15, and at one end ofthe bar is an opening 16 which registers with an opening in the manifold 8, when said bar is in position.

It might be mentioned that each of these i bars is "preferably one casting (as may be seen, Figse to 7) and-"at one endof the bar (clearly shown in Fig. 7) is abearing 17 formed open at its top and at the other end a bearing 18 is formed which is circular so that the pintle 19 maybe housed. in the bearing 18 and the pintle 20 then dropped in the bearing 17, making thebot tom easily removable if for an reason desired, but not apt to get out 0 position in use. i a i The pivotal bottom has two braced fingers or rods 21 formed on its under surface which are slightly spaced near their lower end and having the registering openings 22 so that a rod- (Fig. 2) may pass between the fingers 21 and be bolted thereto.

Along one edge of the bottom 15 and on the upper surface is the extension bar 24 that extends u wardly a short distance (Fig. 4) and su stantially through the in ner longitudinal dimension of the grate bar and of course beyond the ends of the pivotal bottom. This extension contacts with the fire bars 11 as will be hereafter explained. When a plurality of these grate bars 10 are set in position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the rod. 23 is connected through the fingers in all the bars comprising the front series and a similar bar 25 through the fingers on the rearward series (Fig.3), these two rods being operated by the shaft 26 which extends in front of the grate, by means of the arms 27 and 28 on said shaft 26.

In this manner the pivotal bottom of every grate may be tilted simultaneously both in the front and rearward series.

Referring now again to the manifold (Figs. 10 to 16) it is, as before mentioned, provided witha plurality of openings 9 in its upper surface and has a boss or upward extending rim 30 around each opening so that the same will fit snugly into the openings 16 of the said grate bars. This manifold is also preferably a unitary casting.

At each end of the manifold on its under side a portion is cut away as at 31 which open portions register with the hollow supports 7, which, as will be remembered, are connected with air ducts 4 and 5. y

. In these supports are also positioned dampers 32 which are operated by the rod 33 also extending out in front of. the grate.

Two other portions are cut out in the bottom of the manifold asat 34 leaving in reality the three braces or cross pieces 35, one in the center and one near each end. A bearing surface 36 is formed in each of these braces 35 and clamps 36 havingbearing surfaces are secured to the braces after the bottomsv have been installed. In Fig. 12 only one clamp is shown for the sake of clearness.

Supported by these braces are the two.

pivotal bottoms 38 which are provided with the trunnions 39 fitting Within the bearing 36 above described andformed on the lower surfaces of these bottoms 38 varefingers 40 with openings 41,. which fingers are similar to the fingers on the bottoms of the grate bars.- A handle42forked at its one end is bolted to the fingers 40 so that the manifold may also be cleared of any accumulations therein.v This bottom is made in two parts so that it does not interfere with the shaft 26. a p a Referring now to Fig. 18, detail views are shown of what I havetermed fire bars 11, and it is to be understood that each grate bar has a plurality of these set transversely therein, (seeFigs. 1, 3) and that these fire bars are all alike except those disposed in the side grate bars, (as is shown in Fig. 19). These .fire bars 11 are unitary castings and are relatively narrow in top plan and neartheir opposite ends are provided with thelugs 43' which extend outward for a slight distance and also downward as at 44. These lugs 43 are for the purpose of correctlyspacing these fire bars when placed inthe grate bars, that is with relation to each other, to allow or form spaces for the egress of air furnished by the fan through the manifold into the grate bars. The fire bars present two parallel surfaces one at each end as at 45 so they can rest on the edges of the grate bar, (Fig. 4). They are tapered toward the center, where another surface 46 is provided which may be parallel with their upper surface. Also these bars taper in cross section from their top to their bottom, making a slight reduction in the weight and cost per fire bar. More lugs similar to the ones shown at 43 mi ht be provided if desired or might be difierently arranged, the object being to provide certain spaced relationship among the bars. The side bars l1 (Fig. 19) are some what similar in character to those already described, that is they are provided with lugs 48, and also lugs 49, but in this instance one edge orside ofthe bar 50 is disposed at an obtuse angle to the up per surface of the main portion of the bar; in other words it extends upwardly and above the plane of remaining portions. Also at the other edge of the portion 50 is a lug .51, but in this instance extending down to 52 thus forming a seat for the said bar 11 Therefore with this form of side bar spaces are not only provided for the air to be admitted to the fire bed from below the surface but provision is also made to admit air above the surface of the fire bed, thus making a better combustion and allowing oxygen to mix with the gases and thereby burn some of them, which would otherwise, smoke.

Referring now to the preferred form of my invention again and to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that. in the masonry strucgo out the chimney in the form of 25 ture suitable supporting bars as 59 are'providedonwhich; the ends of the grate bars rest the'grate bar-sat the sides hav in'g the bars 11*" placed thereinand the-=remainingj bars havingaplurality of'the firebars 1 1 therein.

The shaft 26- is then properly hung from the-bearing on -the manifold and the simi lar bearing 60 on the front bar 59 and the= rods 23-'25 are connected to thewfingers 'on the bottoms of the said grate bars and thehandle 42 isalso connected to" the bottoms in the manifolds;- The'draft-system; that-- is; fan, engine duets, .etc., have already" beeirr described; also the dampers- 32 for regulat ing the draft;

Now supposing itis desired toroek the bars 11- in the g-rz'ttes, all that-is ne'eessary is to operate the shaft 26 and tines-in turn: will -m0ve the r0ds- 23 and -25 Whichin turn moves the bottom iIr-every grate ban and foroestheextension 24a of every grate ban bottom against" tl1e-fire bars= 111 and 11 2 The air- W-lll also blow out-0f the2b0ttbI-nrelieving the bars of any accumulation and a fewmovements of shaft 26' will isuffieiently shake the fire." Bysueh an arrangement I" have not only produced a forceddraft uace grate but have also produced one wherein the hire may be elf'ectually shaken; Alsothe I said grate 'bars may be easily cleared by, tiltingthe-bottoms and thusa1 lowing the escape of'any ashes they mayhave collectedinthe same:-

Again the separablefireebarsare easyand I cheap-to east and instead of 'ithe neces' sity, of the renewal of entire-grate bar-, should the surface=become damaged by the heat'f'rom -any reason5tas necessaryinformer instances, with thepresent 'type it would only be necessary; at the most t0= replace a few" of= the transversely positioned =fi're' bars'llz It will thus beseenthat l have provided a structure composed of novelgrate bars having pivotal: bottoms-which are so" ar ranged that they contact-with fire -bars 1o catedwthereint Also, the -fire bars have b'eerv so designed i that they allow certain' spaced? relationship for the egress-"ofairand arepositioned' transverselyof tlfe -maii1 bars Also the fire -bars 11 are so shaped 'that a portion ofthem' extend above-the fire levelallowing a-ir to be released ab'ove'the fir'eyand at the same time being capable-*of 'being rocked;

Lastly the complete assembly-is shown' ex posing a: grate which may be "of any area and whereinall the-grate b'ars may" be cleaned or a the fire shaken by a movement ,o-f one shaft, and the manifold also cleaned turee Any worn parts may be easily reigavogoee placed and thrfirabars will Wear" outl-be'forei the grate bars.

Many slight" changes as tofbrm, details; sizes; etc.,lmaybe'made without in: any way: departing: fromthe spirit and scope; of the presentfiinventiona Having thus described: my invention what"- I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent--is 1 A forced draft furnace-grate comprise ing a plurality of hollow gratebars, fire bars located: transversely ot said gr'ateibars said gratebars provided* with pivotal loottoms, a rod connected' withall of the bottoms of said bars fortilting simultaneouslythe said bottoms-and said bottoms rocking the said fire bars locatedon said grate bar's when said bottoms'are tilted? 2; In a forced draft-furnace grate-a pluralit'y of grate bars form'ed in two series, amanifold for supporting the inner adj aeent' ends of said grate bar-s, aplurality of fire bars located 0n each' of said" grate bars; said grate bars provided with pivot'al bottoms, a rodlocated under each series of grate barsand' each rod connected with the; pivotal bottoms of one series'for tiltingthe same, said bottoms respectively provided with-extensions thereon for rocking said firebars when said rodsare actuatedi 3. A forced 'draft"furnacegrate compris ing a plurality of hollow grate bars arranged in 1 a front and rearward series, said grate bars havin'g' openings intlieirbottoms; a manifold provided with a plurality of openings for supporting the inner adjacent ends ofi's'a id grate bars the openings in the manifold regi'stering with the openings in the bottoms of said grate bars; means for supplying air to said manifold; a roclr shaftloeated transverselyof said manifold; two rodszconnected with said shaft; pivotal loottoms in-saidgrate b'ars and conn'ected to the twosaid ro'ds 'whereby a movement of saidrock-- shaft will simultaneously tilt the bot'-'- toms: of said grate 'bar's, fire bars located" on said grate bar's and means on said" pivotal bottoms-to contact-with and rock said fire b ars withv relatiolrto the said grate bars when lsaid' rock shaft -is' operated:

42 A forced draft furnace grate comprisingla plurality of intermediate and end grate bars all ofsaid" bars provided with pivotal bottomsa mainrockshaft, meansconnected witlr said pivotal bottoms and said-rock shafti to I tilt' all of said bottoms when said rock shaft isoperated, spaced fir'e" bars located on said grate bars; thefire bars on said 5 end i grate bars 1 extending above the normal level of the remainder of said firebars, the saidpivotal-bottoms respectively provided 9 with: extensions thereon for rock ing the fire-bars located on both the intermediate-" and the end rate bars;

5.- As forced draft urnace grate compris ing a plurality of hollow grate burs, fire bars located on said grate bars, the fire bars located on the end grate bars extending above the normal level of the remainder of said fire bars, all of said grate bars provided with pivotal bottoms and means for rocking said pivotal bottoms, each of said pivotal bottoms provided on its edge with an upwardly extending lug to thereby rock the respective said fire bars in said grate bars and a manifold also provided with a pivotal bottom and means for tilting the same.

6. A forced draft furnace grate compris ing in part a hollow grate bar, fire bars located on said rate bar, said grate bar having inclined side walls and a pivotal bottom located therein, said bottom provided with a downwardly extending finger adapted to receive a tilting member and an upwardly extending lug, said lug adapted to contact with and rock said fire bars when said bottom is tilted.

7. A forced draft furnace grate comprising in part a hollow grate bar, and a plurali ty of transversely disposed fire bars in said grate bar and a pivotal bottom in said grate (bar provided. with an upward extension adapted to rock said transversely extending fire bars when said bottom is tilted.

8. A forced draft furnace grate comprising in part a hollow rate bar, a plurality of fire bars resting on said grate bar and said fire bars provided with lugs to correctly space one fire bar with relation to another, a pivotal bottom in said grate bar provided with an upward extension thereon, said extension extending substantial] throughout the inner length of said grate ar, and raising the ends of all of said fire bars when said bottom is sufficiently tilted.

9. A forced draft furnace grate comprising in part a, hollow grate bar provided with a pivotal bottom having an upward extension thereon, said grate ar being open in its top, a plurality of fire bars provided with lugs on their opposite sides to correctly space one fire bar from another when placed in position, said fire bars extending downwardly into said grate bar and being supported thereon, a pivotal bottom in said grate bar provided with means for contactin with and rockin the said fire bars when said bottom is sufficiently tilted.

10. A forced draft furnace grate comprising in part a ate bar havin end and side Walls open at its top, a plurality of fire bars having cut out portions at their under edges for resting on the side walls of said grate bar, a pivotal bottom in said grate bar, said fire bars provided with means for acing one from another, said fire bars havlng tapered lower ortions and said pivotal bottom having ormed thereon means for contacting with the lowermost surface of said fire bars to raise the ends of the fire bars and thereby rock the same.

11. A forced draft furnace grate comprising in part a hollow grate bar having end and side Walls and open at its top, the side walls being thickest at their upper portion and tapering at their lowest edges, a pivotal bottom set in said grate bar adapted to fit snugly when closed, said pivotal bottom provided with a bar extending substantially throughout the inner longitudinal dimension of said grate bar, said pivotal bottom being provided with depending fingers on the bottom thereof, means for supporting said pivotal bottom and a plurality of fire bars located on said grate bar and adapted to be rocked by the said longitudinally extending bar when the bottom is tilted.

In testimon whereof I afiix my si nature.

L E HOWARD SI ONS.

Copies 0! this patent may he obtained for the cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatenta,

Washington, D. 0." 

